Cookies for the Candidates

Are you going to Pierson's library tonight to meet the Board of Ed candidates? I've been testing recipes today and I'm bringing these cookies tonight.

Multicultural Festival Celebrated in New Blog

Gifted local photographer Lindsay Morris (her work can be seen every month in Edible East End; she took pictures at my cookie swap) has recently started to blog. The subject of her latest post is last week's hugely successful Multicultural Festival at Pierson. As soon as I saw these pictures, I was filled with regret that I had missed the event. And of course I immediately googled chicken okonomiyaki. Recipe to follow shortly.

New Buffet Offering in Sag Harbor

I love this enticing advertisement for the selection of one-act comedies directed and performed by Pierson students on November 18, 19, and 20. To satisfy your hunger for culture, buy your tickets at the door, or click here.

Support the Film Festival Stars of Tomorrow

James Franco and Stanley Tucci will appear at the Bay Street Theater on Saturday and Sunday, as part of the Hamptons International Film Festival's live programming. But on Friday night, on the same stage, you can hear some of Pierson's most talented vocalists, singing show tunes to raise money for the high school musical theater program. So before you check out established stars on Long Wharf this weekend, you might want to check out the talent in the pipeline.

Coming Soon

The mind works in mysterious ways, I find, often returning to thoughts of heritage pork. When I was at Pierson last night, for a warm and welcoming Middle School orientation meeting, I saw this poster for the Pierson High School Musical. After I made a mental note to reserve my tickets online, I exercised my brain, trying to recall the plot of Thoroughly Modern Millie. Something about "gin joints" led me to my liquor cabinet, and ultimately to this recipe. My chops are defrosting in the refrigerator now and I'll marinate them tomorrow morning. So I'll be eating them at around curtain time tomorrow night. Will let you know how they turn out.

Gin-Soaked Grilled Pork Chops
Serves 4


1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup gin
2 tablespoons sugar
3 garlic cloves, smashed
Four 10-ounce bone-in pork rib chops

1. Whisk together the soy sauce, gin, and sugar in a medium bowl. Place the pork chops in a zipper lock bag, add the soy sauce mixture, garlic cloves, and juniper berries, seal, and turn several times to coat. Refrigerate the pork chops for at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours, turning once or twice.
2. Remove the chops from the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Heat a gas grill to medium. Grill the chops until just cooked through, turning three times and basting with the marinade each time, 18 to 20 minutes total. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

A New Italian Cafe

Although a trip to Italy isn't on my calendar, I'll definitely be attending this event on January 31st to help raise funds for some hard-working Pierson art students hoping to travel there in the Spring. I have a pretty good idea of what to expect food-wise, but I'm very curious to see the cafeteria transformed into an Italian cafe...

What to Wear to the Homecoming Parade

I wish I had one of these to wear to tonight's Open House at Pierson Milddle-High School. If I order it today, perhaps it will be here in time for Saturday's Homecoming Parade.

Commencement Pops

It's June and graduation season is upon us. Congratulations in advance to the Pierson class of 2009, as well as the class of 2013 (our 8th graders) and 2017 (our 5th graders). For instructions on making these mortar board pops from Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Godiva Bittersweet Chocolate Squares, and Airhead Extremes, go to Bakerella.com.

Tasty Art at Pierson

After I voted today, I browsed Pierson's annual art exhibit. I was especially impressed by these vibrant still life paintings. Perhaps there is some truth to the recent claims by readers of the Sag Harbor Express that student artwork influences voters. These vivid depictions of juicy fruit compelled me to run home and devour half a mango and a bunch of grapes.